Target Audience

The educational design of this activity addresses the needs of rheumatologists and other clinicians involved in the ongoing management of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Statement of Need/Program Overview

RA is a chronic, progressive inflammatory autoimmune disease producing both articular and extra-articular manifestations.1,2 Of note, studies have shown that mortality risks are 50% higher in people with RA compared with the general population.3 The differential responses seen with current treatment modalities suggest that overlapping signaling pathways driven by proinflammatory cytokines can control the characteristic autoreactivity and other clinical manifestations of RA.4 In particular, elevated levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and its receptor are found in affected joints, where they contribute to cartilage damage and bone erosion.5 Additionally, signaling via soluble IL-6 receptor likely contributes to the systemic inflammatory effects of RA.6 Adopting treat-to-target strategies and actively targeting remission in each patient has shown great promise in improving RA outcomes, but up to 40% of patients do not adequately respond to conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) or inhibitors of tumor necrosis factor.6 These data highlight the need for other options, including 2 biologic DMARDs that are specific for the IL-6 receptor.6,7 This eHealth Source™ activity has been developed as a text-based eBook with additional video clips to update clinicians on the latest evidence-based information to guide RA management, with a focus on inhibition of IL-6 signaling.

References

Helmick CG, et al. Estimates of the prevalence of arthritis and other rheumatic conditions in the United States. Part I. Arthritis Rheum. 2008;58(1):15-25.

Physician Accreditation Statement

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of Global Education Group (Global) and Integritas Communications. Global is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Physician Credit Designation

Global Education Group designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Fee Information & Refund/Cancellation Policy

There is no fee for this educational activity.

Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest

Global Education Group (Global) requires instructors, planners, managers, and other individuals and their spouses/life partners who are in a position to control the content of this activity to disclose any real or apparent conflict of interest they may have as related to the content of this activity. All identified conflicts of interest are thoroughly vetted by Global for fair balance, scientific objectivity of studies mentioned in the materials or used as the basis for content, and appropriateness of patient care recommendations.

The faculty reported the following financial relationships or relationships to products or devices they or their spouses/life partners have with commercial interests related to the content of this CME activity:

The following planners and managers reported the following financial relationships or relationships to products or devices they or their spouses/life partners have with commercial interests related to the content of this CME activity:

Disclosure of Unlabeled Use

This educational activity may contain discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the FDA. Global Education Group (Global) and Integritas Communications do not recommend the use of any agent outside of the labeled indications.

The opinions expressed in the educational activity are those of the faculty and do not necessarily represent the views of any organization associated with this activity. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.

Disclaimer

Participants have an implied responsibility to use the newly acquired information to enhance patient outcomes and their own professional development. The information presented in this activity is not meant to serve as a guideline for patient management. Any procedures, medications, or other courses of diagnosis or treatment discussed in this activity should not be used by clinicians without evaluation of patient conditions and possible contraindications on dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer’s product information, and comparison with recommend

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